Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor As we mark the last day of Tourism Month, it is essential to reflect on the opportunities this vibrant sector brings to the Eastern Cape. The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that tourism is not just about celebrating our province’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and unique wildlife, but about realising its potential to drive economic growth and create much-needed jobs. The Eastern Cape, with the third highest tourism revenue in the country, is at a critical … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Must Prioritise Tourism Infrastructure, Safety To Unlock Economic Potential

Dear Editor Just like any typical Parastatal Parasitism & Paralysis [3P] case study, which seems to confirm the stereotype that state owned companies are primarily enrichment and protection channels wherein ANC anointees are parachuted in, Transnet should really have a private partner [or two] in order to promote transparency and accountability, before going to the national treasury for a bail out, or even dream about not having a big brother looking over its shoulders for steadying the … [Read more...] about Parastatal Parasitism & Paralysis

Dear Editor Gwede Mantashe should put the livelihoods of the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay ahead of a request by the Liquid Fuels Wholesalers Association to exempt the region from the anticipated national fuel price drop. The infrastructure in Port Elizabeth harbour that is used to offload fuel has been damaged and is not operational. That means fuel must be offloaded in East London harbour until Port Elizabeth is fixed, a process that will take more than a year. The fuel wholesalers … [Read more...] about Minister Urged to Block Unfair Fuel Costs for Struggling NMB Residents

Dear Editor The DA-governed Kouga Municipality has once again demonstrated its status as the Eastern Cape’s leading municipality for service delivery and good governance by re-opening the upgraded Gill Marcus Water Treatment Works in Humansdorp. The water treatment works that was re-opened on Friday was upgraded at a cost of nearly R5 million to incorporate borehole water treatment capabilities, which are essential due to the increasing demand for clean drinking water. [see pictures here … [Read more...] about Kouga Increases Water Security With Upgraded Treatment Works

Dear Editor It is amazing that a formerly New Zealand supporting turncoat, currently residing in Cape Town whilst also never been born in Port Elizabeth and as per usual of the post 1994 neo-Africanists; a clout, fame and/or relevance seeker that is doing a showing of hand for the renaming of Cape Road to some Siya Kolisi Boulevard or so [The Herald 27 September 2024]. Maybe, he is schmoozing for our shallow-minded politicians to arrange a meet-up with the said Springbok captain in … [Read more...] about Siya Kolisi vs Cape Road

Dear Editor The R75 between Gqeberha and Kariega has become Nelson Mandela Bay’s most dangerous road, claiming numerous lives over the years due to its unsafe conditions. This critical route, heavily used by tens of thousands of commuters daily, demands urgent attention, as it is unacceptable for motorists to continue facing such deadly circumstances. In the past, I have written several letters to the CEO of SANRAL, Mr. Reginald Demana, highlighting the issues that have turned the R75 into … [Read more...] about SANRAL Offered Assistance To Save Lives On Deadly R75

Editor: Troubling allegations in light of major construction about to take place at Coega. Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) remains deeply concerned about the growing influence of extortion mafias across the Eastern Cape, particularly in key areas such as Buffalo City, OR Tambo, and Nelson Mandela Bay. The ongoing disruptions to vital infrastructure projects have reached a crisis point, with construction mafias exploiting public infrastructure delivery, threatening contractors, … [Read more...] about Extortion Mafias Crippling Eastern Cape Infrastructure

Dear Editor The horrifically flawed undercount in South Africa’s Census 2022, compiled by StatsSA, will have dire consequences for Nelson Mandela Bay’s already cash strapped ratepayers, as the municipality is set to lose an estimated R1 billion in grant funding over the next three years. This disastrous undercount will lead to Nelson Mandela Bay receiving a 20-30% reduction in equitable share and other grant funding from National Treasury. Both municipalities and provinces receive … [Read more...] about What the 2022 Census Disaster Means for NMB Residents

Dear Editor The DA has learnt from a reliable source that people have tragically lost their lives due to the Eastern Cape Department of Health’s failure to settle their bills with Telkom. The DA calls on the Department to be transparent by informing the public whether this is indeed the case and urgently announcing their plan to address the Telkom issue as well as the escalating crisis of budgetary shortfalls in the province, to prevent further loss of life. On 1 September 2024, the Telkom … [Read more...] about Allegations Of Deaths Due To Unpaid Telkom Bills

Dear Editor The DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has written to the Speaker and Acting City Manager urging an immediate intervention in the coalition government’s attack on press freedom. On Wednesday, a local journalist was removed from a Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral Committee meeting at the insistence of the ANC, a partner in the Metro’s collapsing and ineffective coalition government. The journalist was removed during an important session where matters of public importance and service delivery … [Read more...] about NMB’s Press Bullies

[Hear Yusuf Cassim MPL speak on this HERE] Dear Editor The shocking treatment of the Arington family during a National Intervention Unit (NIU) raid in Nelson Mandela Bay’s Northern Areas has raised serious questions about the conduct and accountability of the NIU since its deployment to the Eastern Cape. Yesterday, I visited the family and witnessed firsthand the trauma they endured during the two-hour assault. The DA strongly condemns the actions of the NIU members, who reportedly … [Read more...] about Action Demanded After Alleged Assault And Islamophobic Slurs By SAPS’ National Intervention Unit

Dear Editor The transfer of Nelson Mandela Bay’s (NMB) municipal lease portfolio to the troubled municipal entity, the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), further highlights the extent of state capture within the Eastern Cape’s largest metro. This week, the Acting City Manager, Mandla George, approved the transfer of the lease portfolio to the MBDA, giving the entity control over a property portfolio valued at an estimated R2–R3 billion, with leases worth hundreds of millions of … [Read more...] about Transfer of NMB Municipal Lease Portfolio to MBDA Raises Red Flags

Dear Editor The Eastern Cape's financial challenges are becoming more critical. The province is battling with an ever-increasing wage bill, a lack of investment in infrastructure, a lack of self-revenue generation, and provincial entities draining the fiscus with no real return. This has resulted in significant financial shortfalls that have repeatedly forced the Provincial Treasury to dip into the province’s reserves. With financial shortfalls deepening and vital services hanging in the … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape’s Financial Crisis Deepens